Cowichan Tribes sign historic agreement on path to creating Child and Family Services Authority
It’s the signing of a historic agreement between Cowichan Tribes, the federal government and the provincial government. It will see the province’s largest First Nation take back its inherent right to self determination.
“It means a lot to our people to keep our family units together, to keep our kids with our families, to learn their language and their culture,” said Chief Cindy Daniels, Cowichan Tribes.
The four-year agreement will see the federal government commit $207 million and the province will pitch in $22 million, allowing Cowichan Tribes to establish its own Child and Family Services Authority. It will be overseen by a board of directors and a CEO that has not yet been hired.
“It’s extremely poignant for me to stand here in front of you to try to make amends for a country that has brought so much harm on people and on families,” said Patty Hajdu, federal minister of Indigenous services.
The new authority will ensure that if a child has to be removed from their home, that youth will be put into the custody of someone within the Cowichan Tribes community. That youth will either be placed with a family member outside of the home or with a separate family within the Cowichan Tribes community.
“We know that kids are best served when kids are connected to family community culture,” said Grace Lore, B.C.’s minister of children and family services.
“We are leaving behind the practice of child apprehension and placements that have alienated children from their families and community for generations,” said Daniels.
Through the new authority backstops will be established for families facing hard times such as poverty, inadequate housing, substance misuse or mental health issues.
“This holistic Cowichan approach focuses on enabling family wellness, respecting our children’s best interests and ensuring our teachings and values are passed down to future generations,” said the Cowichan Tribes chief.
It’s been a long road getting to this historic point for the local First Nation. There has been years of negotiations with multiple levels of government and that led to a vote by the community last November.
Eighty-three per cent voted in favour of establishing it’s own Child and Family Services Authority.
“15 or 20 years ago, who would have thought that today would happen?” said Daniels. “Who would have thought that they would have listened to our voice?”
Monday was a day of celebration for Cowichan Tribes as members say now the hard work will begin to create a framework that will set it’s children up for success, all while maintaining its rich First Nation culture.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Israel launches strikes on military targets in Iran, escalating Mideast wars
Israel launched airstrikes early Saturday on what it described as military targets in Iran in retaliation for a ballistic missile assault Oct. 1, officials said. There was no immediate information on damage in the Islamic Republic.
DEVELOPING Scotiabank confirms outage for mobile, online banking
Scotiabank has confirmed outages affecting mobile and online banking services, according to a statement published to its X account.
'I did everything I could': Canada Post driver recounts helping save woman from fiery Tesla crash
Canada Post driver Rick Harper recounts how he and others helped save a woman from a Tesla that caught fire after crashing into a guardrail on Lake Shore Boulevard.
An abrupt goodbye to a guerilla goldfish aquarium beneath a leaky Brooklyn fire hydrant
A makeshift aquarium that popped up this summer in a puddle beneath a leaky fire hydrant in New York City has been paved over, to the dismay of neighbours who turned the area into a hangout spot and goldfish shrine.
Climate change breaks heat records across Canada this summer
Human-caused climate change made almost all of Canada’s heat waves hotter and more likely, Environment and Climate Change Canada said in an announcement Friday.
Mother who beat and starved her 5-year-old son to death sentenced to over 50 years in prison
A New Hampshire woman was sentenced Friday to 53 years to life in prison in the death of her 5-year-old son, who was beaten, starved and exposed to drugs before his 19-pound body was found buried in a Massachusetts park in 2021.
'Get away from your inner circle': Liberal MP 'shocked' PM didn't take more time to reflect on calls to resign
Longtime Liberal MP Wayne Long says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should give more weight to the views of his backbenchers in determining his future leading the Party, rather than relying on those in his immediate orbit.
Mom and child jumped from a window to escape a Las Vegas fire that killed 2 children and 2 adults
Two adults and two children were found dead in the charred rubble of a house fire after a mother and another child jumped from a third-floor window to escape flames in a southwest Las Vegas neighborhood, authorities said.
Russian actors made fake video depicting mail-in ballots for Trump being destroyed, FBI says
Russian actors made a widely circulated video falsely depicting mail-in ballots for Donald Trump being destroyed in Pennsylvania, U.S. officials said Friday.